"Where Were South Africa's Men?" South African Actress Questions Lack of Support After World Cup Final Loss

A passionate video by South African actress and cricket enthusiast Thanja Vuur has gone viral following India's historic 52-run victory over South Africa in the Women's ODI World Cup 2025 final at the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai on Sunday. In the emotional clip, Vuur directed pointed criticism at South Africa's male cricket legends and officials for their conspicuous absence from the final, contrasting it sharply with India's cricket greats who packed the stadium to support Harmanpreet Kaur's side.

The Viral Video

"India, you win this World Cup. Your congratulations is coming. Just give me a few minutes because first I'm gonna tell you why. The reason is you. Sachin Tendulkar, Rohit Sharma, even VVS Laxman, were there to support you. Who the hell showed up from South Africa? Hm?" Vuur asked in the video, captioned "Indian win because their people care."

Her Instagram bio reads "Actress and Writer, Biased Protea, Cricket Nerd since '96," revealing her deep connection to South African cricket. The passion in her voice was unmistakable as she continued her critique.

The Absence That Spoke Volumes

"These ex-cricket players that you love from South Africa, the men... where are they? Oh, this event was not high-profile enough for them. Nobody showed up. I don't think our minister of sport was there," Vuur said, her frustration evident.

The contrast was indeed stark. India's stadium support included cricket legends Sachin Tendulkar, Rohit Sharma, VVS Laxman, former captain Mithali Raj, and fast-bowling icon Jhulan Goswami—all visibly emotional as India claimed their maiden World Cup title. The presence of these cricketing giants sent a powerful message: women's cricket matters, and it deserves the same reverence as men's cricket.

Meanwhile, South Africa's stands appeared devoid of similar high-profile support from their male cricket legends—a visual disparity that didn't escape Vuur's notice.

A Message to South Africa's Women

Despite her disappointment with the lack of institutional and celebrity support, Vuur was effusive in her praise for the South African women's team, who had fought valiantly throughout the tournament.

"The girls worked so hard. They did so well. But what does it feel like when none of these people show up? Did they just think we were gonna lose? Is that the message they're sending? You guys live and breathe this sport... It is breakfast, lunch, and dinner. You are the winners of this World Cup. And you know what? You deserve it," she said, her voice breaking with emotion.

South Africa's Remarkable Journey

Vuur's frustration was compounded by the fact that South Africa's journey to the final had been nothing short of extraordinary. After being bowled out for just 69 in their opening match against England, the Proteas staged a remarkable comeback to reach their first-ever ODI World Cup final.

Their path included:

A six-wicket victory over New Zealand, powered by Tazmin Brits' century

A dominant 312-run total against Pakistan in a rain-affected match

A historic 125-run victory over England in the semifinal, with captain Laura Wolvaardt scoring a magnificent 169

In the final itself, Wolvaardt scored another century (101 off 98 balls), becoming only the second player in World Cup history to score back-to-back hundreds in the knockout stages. Despite her heroics, South Africa fell short, bowled out for 246 in 45.3 overs while chasing 299.

India's Institutional Support

The difference in support structures was evident throughout the tournament. India's BCCI ensured pay parity for male and female cricketers, launched the Women's Premier League (WPL) to provide year-round competitive cricket, and promoted the World Cup extensively across all media platforms.

Former BCCI secretary and current ICC chairman Jay Shah was personally involved in the tournament's organization, and the BCCI even honored all former women cricketers during the opening ceremony—a gesture that underscored how much the institution valued the contributions of pioneers who had built women's cricket in India.

Coach's Perspective

South Africa head coach Mandla Mashimbyi acknowledged India's superior hunger for the title after the final.

"India wanted to win the Women's World Cup more than South Africa, who will give it a 'good go' in the next edition," Mashimbyi said candidly. "The way India played the game, they came out hard in the first 10 overs. We pegged them back in the last 40 overs. There was a time we were expecting them to score 350, 360. For them to not get to 300 was really a good effort from our bowlers."

While Mashimbyi's assessment was technical and respectful, it perhaps missed the broader point that Vuur was making: institutional support and cultural recognition matter immensely in building the mental fortitude needed to win major tournaments.

The Broader Question

Vuur's video raised uncomfortable questions that extend beyond cricket. Why do male sporting legends feel compelled to support their men's teams but not their women's teams? Why does institutional support for women's sport remain inconsistent even when teams reach historic milestones?

The contrast between India and South Africa in this regard was glaring. While India's cricket establishment—past and present—rallied around the women's team, treating their World Cup campaign with the same gravitas as a men's tournament, South Africa's support appeared more muted.

A Call for Change

Despite her criticism, Vuur's ultimate message was one of pride and hope. She acknowledged that India deserved the World Cup victory—not just because of their superior performance on the field, but because they had the institutional backing, cultural support, and passionate fanbase that championship-winning teams require.

"You guys live and breathe this sport... It is breakfast, lunch, and dinner. You are the winners of this World Cup. And you know what? You deserve it," she concluded, her words a bittersweet acknowledgment that South Africa's women had given their all but lacked the ecosystem needed to push them over the finish line.

The Road Ahead

South Africa's women's cricket team has now reached three consecutive ICC finals—the T20 World Cup finals in 2023 and 2024, and now the ODI World Cup final in 2025—without winning any. While their on-field performances have been commendable, Vuur's critique suggests that off-field support structures need significant strengthening if the Proteas are to finally break through and claim a major ICC title.

As India celebrated their historic triumph, Vuur's video served as both a congratulations to the champions and a challenge to South Africa: if you want your women's teams to win, you need to show up—not just physically, but institutionally, culturally, and emotionally.